AG Bailey launches online form for Jackson County property tax victims
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced on Monday that his office launched an official online form/tip line for the victims of Jackson County’s illegal property tax assessments.
According to a news release, the tip line will allow Missourians to share more evidence with his office and “join in the fight for justice” before his trial against the county starts on June 6.
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“Missourians are already struggling to make ends meet in Joe Biden’s economy. For Jackson County to take advantage of its residents on top of that is not only unlawful – it’s despicable,” said Attorney General Bailey.
“Every affected victim of this scheme has a story to tell. I encourage any Jackson County resident who has been illegally taxed to reach out to my office – we want to hear from you.”
The tip line comes after Bailey filed the lawsuit against Jackson County and Tyler Technologies — the county’s property appraisal contractor — in December 2023.
The lawsuit detailed the county’s “illegal actions” that resulted in an average assessed property value increase of at least 30% with some property owners reporting an increase of 100%.
“As a result, Defendants have subjected Jackson County property owners to undue taxation based on illegally increased assessment values without the opportunity to take advantage of the statutorily provided administrative remedies,” the lawsuit said.
Bailey says that Jackson County caused “significant economic harm” to its residents and illegally increased property owner’s assessments.
The lawsuit filed by Bailey alleges that county officials violated state law when they failed to give timely notices of tax assessments, did not perform the required physical inspections of properties, and handled the appeals of property assessments in “illegal and dysfunctional manners.”
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According to the release, Jackson County’s assessment notices were delivered after the legally mandated deadline on June 15. It also stated that even though physical inspections of properties were and are required, the county did not do them.
The release said:
Article X, Section 22 of the Missouri Constitution prohibits counties from levying any tax, license or fee not authorized by law. Attorney General Bailey asserts the State has an interest in ensuring the State’s tax levying and collection process is legally carried out, and that Missouri citizens are not harmed by the imposition of undue assessments and the associated tax burdens.
The release revealed that complaints from Jackson County residents have continued to pour into Bailey’s office even after the lawsuit was filed last year.
“We’re glad Jackson County residents continue to come forward to let us know how they were adversely affected by this illegal behavior,” Bailey said. “We encourage all Missourians to reach out on this issue. We will always have Missourians’ backs.”
Although your story can be submitted to Bailey’s office, he said not all information may be used in the trial, but much of it will be.
“If you believe you’ve been illegally taxed and want to pursue an avenue that can lead to real justice for all affected, contact our hotline,” Bailey said.
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Click here for the tip line, or search https://ago.mo.gov/other-resources/forms/jackson-county-property-tax-form/.
The trial against Tyler Technologies is scheduled for April 2025.
